Apparatus for use in the repair of shoes



Oct. 28', 1941. F, A, PRAHL, ,R 2,260,480

APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE REPAIR OF SHOES Filed Dec. '31, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 28, 1941. 'F. A. PRAHL. JR

APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE REPAIR OF SHOES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 31, 1938 R a. w E w 8 wk wmx N L V a g M a 5 g 1 Mr 3 a 5 F 0 o a Q mi 0 a a a3 a a 5 m 0 s o O 0 k g Q g 2 a n u N. 5 0 Q o n o A? w 0 a v a w o o w? a a o a a. M mm M; D Q A x 3 a mm w m ma T11 Nm NNIIVAN i g 3 m 5 cw 3 5 8 mm .5

Oct 28, 1941. F. A. PRAHL, JR 2,260,480.

"APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE REPAIR OF SHOES Filed Dec. 31, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 28, 1941. HL, JR 2,260,480

APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE REPAIR OF SHOES Filed D60. 31, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. 28, 1941 APPARATUS FOR USE SHOE THE REPAIR. OF S Frederick A. Prahl, Jr., Danvers, Mass., assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Borough of Fiemington, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application December 31, 1938, Serial No. 248,801

- 15 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus foruse in the repair of shoes and more particularly to that class of apparatus commonly known as repair outfits. As heretofore constituted, such outfits consist of an open framework of iron carrying bearings for a'shaft or shafting on which are mounted various rotary tools for abrading, buffing, polishing, grinding, trimming, etc. the soles, heels and bottom edges of repaired shoes. Such outfits also commonly include draft hoods partially shrouding such of the individual tools as remove chips or scourings from the work, and a dust collector having a fan for withdrawing the fine dust or chips through the hoods as they are removed by the tools. commonly driven by an electric motor, the power being transmitted through belting running over .pulleys fixed to the motor shaft and to the tool shaft. In some instances, repair outfits of this character also include a stitching machine appropriate for repair ,work mounted on a portion of the frame.

Constituted as above described, repair equipment serves very well its purely mechanical purposes, but its installation and use are attended by serious objections, inconveniences and even hazards which it is the broad object of this invention to overcome. For example, the appearance of an aggregation of tools supported in an The tool shafting is Further in accordance with the present invention, the cabinet may be divided into separate convenient sections for the motors and dust collecting system, respectively, and the hood shrouding the tools is partitioned to provide separate compartments for the various groups of tools. Preferably, the means dividing the' cabinet into sections comprises upright frame members extending substantially the full height of the apparatus, the upper portions of theseframe members forming parts of the partition means dividing the hood. These upright frame members preferably afford support for shaft bearings which may be housed on either side of each frame member. Thus arranged, all of the tools are partially shrouded to prevent accidental conpriate against a background of modern interior decoration as found in many up-to-date shoe repair shops, and this unsightliness is often aggravated by dust and dirt which, because such structures are difilcult to clean, accumulate on ators and drips to portions of the frame or to the N The belting transmitting power fromthe floor. motor equipment to the shafting is exposed except as it may sometimes be shrouded by an ordinary belt cover.

With these considerations in mind, it is the obopen iron framework is unsightly and inapprotact therewith while running and are protected from dust and dirt. All bearings are completely housed and the belting or other transmission means for delivering power of the motor equipment to the shafting is housed within the cabinet and the hood. All exposedsurfaces of the structure, being continuous, may be easily maintained in a clean condition and afford display areaswhich may be finished in keeping with other appointments of the repair shop. The dust collecting system, also, is housed within the metal casing, thereby minimizing the fire hazard.

These and other features of the invention, including certain details of construction and combinations of parts, will be set forth in connec-. tion with an illustrative machine and will be pointed out in the appended claims.

ject of the present invention to provide appara-' tus for shoe repair work in which the power plant, dust collecting system and substantially all elements of the apparatus other than the tools and shafting are encased on all sides in a cab-,

inet-like structure or casing, the shafting with the tools mounted theron being arranged over a bench-high deck and protected by an openfront hood which extends forwardly over the tools and shafting.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved apparatus;

, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the interior of the improved apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the frame construction; 7

Fig. 4 is an end view of one of the upright frame members of the machine;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line V-V of Fig. 4

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line VIVI of Fig. 3; and

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the improved apparatus.

The improved apparatus herein illustrated is provided with a plurality of brushing and pol- "catTe iw'ithla manifsid'qsi'rrigi apparatus; 48 houseid'fin, the,inte

apparatus. maybe. of any (the upper portion of the-.01

' "The driving" Maserati far Fig.2; comprises a" countershaftlfiz'Journaledin.

front wall l8, a rear wall 20, and end closures 22 5 and Z4.- 'C10sing'the'casing beneath the various tools is aldeckifig convenientlyof bench height.

The front wall l3 extends upwardly to the level. of the deck 26, the junction of the front wall with 1,

the deck being closed. The rearIWall 20, extends, 1Q upwardly above the level of the deck 26, curving. forwardly at its upper portion and extending ..;setting;t0ol. 66 ionjthe end of the shaft 32 Which to provide the I above-mentioned" hoodbeneathi 7 Whichthe tools are housed! Suitable illuminaforwardly over the deck 26 and thevarious tools tion is provided by lamps 28 above the tools and within the hood. The deck 26 mayextend rear wardly all the way to the rear wall or, as in" the illustrated'construction (see Figs. land- 2' I and. particularlyfligujl, the, rear edge,of the 20 deck may? bej jcontinuous jwith the lower edge ofaniupwardlyextending backwall 36 which is spaced forwardly f-the rear wall 20 and which has its llppr'fiedge fagainstiflthe inner surface of j tli'e upperportidn 'ofjthe'rea wall-,,2.0.. The deck 25 2.6 ,an d-the..back 'Wall13fl.thussepar'ate .the hood above referred to, .."fro n' .what may generally [be termedthej',interior ortionfoij the -,c,asing", 'and 1 define Qtheme-entrantspace in-whicdthe tools o 157mg substantially injit "sections? 1. mane interior"portionlfof bn of i hejse 'p'pear, constitute, the. end.[frame],iner'nb ,sections,. .ishfous'ed ]aflniotdr sfigtFig 2,)71 which dr'ivfe's S ha f through abeItGBjTTInfa section is housed. ain'otorfifl 'hich drives.

vidualf dustg'hoods. "The longitudinally or the ac ladenairfrom. the hdb dsit' a .1 lead irito, ,llt egabov meiltibi ed,

.8? 'sijbetw'eeri, t e; i 'd1.. a d. t e. ri ht ing a control handle '58. The shank buffing tool I4 is driven from the shaft 34 through a belt passing over suitable pulleys. The edge trimming'tools it are driven from the countershaft 52 through a belt 62 running over suitable pulleys, including a loosepulley on the gcountershaft which may be coupled theretoi'at willby a clutch mechanism having a control handle fi l. The

.blower 50 is driven through a belt 65 from the extendsioutsideof the casing, a pair of ink pots 68; a -device 10?for applying abrasive covers to theremovable padded shank bufiing tool I l, a

suction; opening JZ in theback Wall 30 for receiving dust-laden air from the edge trimming tools 16,- and a sectionopening M in the shaft 24.

o er iv n ch l al p mm t e -.d a ming; tools [6.- These suction cpeningsj 12f There is providedal'so a grinder 15 for sh ns t e. dge. trimmin tools, anda Work ii for usejjinconnectibn with thegrinder .75, s jbu i e to fiihas a. o n .11; Sup by a bracket 19. The edge' trimmingfto are supported by abr'acket .8 I." A switch 83' trols the'lightingof thefla'mps' Z8. 1. The construction of the casing' will .nv wbe de scribed. As shown in'jEig; '3, 3th' structure .of the casing comprises up h fr m memb rs j ii 8,11. ',,f'.8 2 The members is jami at areadjacen'tjtdt e. en of the casing; the members 18 andjfill are closely ,to ea'chcother, between the left I j niddlejsections o the casing, while'th m sections; he members l8fandf w'as will a r separable units which make up 'th'ei 'dle'section of the casing." This" dust epa ti g '55 wellkno ,tion; preferably having:

law I? .bufiing and..- edge, trimming tool's,

4 I I f thej' plate 100. extend 1 driven,froinjtheimotoriqllby belt 53.. ,.Th,drive 7o Ifroni I thef .cdunterisnaft' 521,1

. transmitted bygfl belt"EE'rurining overpulleys lonith' respective shaft thelowerpulley. being H c 1 iiobe fdn.triejsh'artgsz a-capabie'or being-.cou-

pled thereto at will byacl'utc'h mechafiisrri'havin the form of a reinforcing ab 'ut I t ei evei or "th shelf" "frame members 82 and 84.

the dust collector.

flanges I02 and I04 and the plate I06 rise upright from the floor to a point some distance below the level of the deck 26' and then gradually curve forwardly, the curvature increasing above the level of the deck 26. The flanges I02 and I04 and the plate I06 continue forwardly around the curved top of the plates 86 and 88 and terminate a short distance below'the level of said top and a considerable distance above the level of the deck 26. The forward ends of the flanges I02 and I04 and the plate I06 are a little forward of the planeof the plate I the intervening unflanged edges of the plates 86 and 88 are together and extend forwardly beyond the plate I00 in a convex curve which is a continuation of the curvature of the plate I06 and which terminates at the upper end of the plate I00.

In this intervening portion is formed a notch I08 to receive one of the shafts 32 or 34. A bearing I09 for the shaft is secured to the face of one of'the plates 86 or 88 at the notch I08. The lower end portions of the plates I00 and I06 are bent horizontally to provide feet IIO which rest upon the floor and carry the weight of, the structure. Welded to the front feetare upright lateral flanges III (Figs. 2 and 3) extending from the upright portions of the plates I00 and I06.

The bearings I09, as has already been pointed out, are carried by the upright frame members. In addition, the frame member 16 carries brackets which support the ink pots 68, and the frame member 82 carries the bracket 19 for supporting the shank bufling tool I4. The frame member 82 also carries a bracket 55 for supporting the countershaft bearing'54. The frame member 84 carries the bracket 8| which supports the edge trimming tools.

Connecting the frame members 16 and 18 adjacent to their forward feet is an angle iron 2' (Figs. 2 and 3). An angle iron II4 connects the frame members 80 and 82 and an angle iron II6 connects the frame members 82 and 84. Also connecting the lower portions of the frame members 16 and 18 is a shelf II8 which is stiffened by corrugations and by depending lateral flanges.

The motor 36 is secured upon the shelf II8 A pair of brackets I20 likewise connects the frame members 80 and 82 and supports the dust separator 48, and a shelf I22 similar to the shelf II8 connects the frame members 82 and 84 and supports the motor 40. Connecting the frame mem- 'bers 16 and 18 at the front edge of the, deck 26 is a curved metal plate I24. A member I26 similar to the plate I24 connects the frame members 89 and'82 and a similar member I28 connects the A sheet metal plate I30 (Figs. 8 and extending upwardly from close to the floor has its opposite lateral margins secured to the rear reinforcing plates I06 of the upright framemembers 16 and 18 respectively, following the curvature of the plates I06 and terminating at the upper ends of the plates I06. A similar'plate I32 connects the frame members 80 and 82, and a plate I34,

also similar to the plate I30, connects the frame members 82 and 84.. The plates I30, I32 and I34 contribute materially to the longitudinal stiffness of the entire housing. Together, they com.- prise the principal portion of the rear wall 20.

Louvers I36 (Fig. 3) provide for the quiet passage into the room of the clean air which has been released into the interior of the casing from It has already been mentioned thatthef-casing is made up of two units'which arelongitudinally separable between the frame members 16 and 18. These units are connected by an upper pair of tie bolts I38- and I40 (Figs. 3 and 4) and a lower pair of tie bolts I42 and I44 (Figs. 4 and 5). The lowertie bolts may conveniently be employed also to secure the adjacent ends of the shelf II8 'andbrackets I20. The break'between the two units-is covered in the rear by a plate I46 (Fig. 5) and in front by a platel48 (see also Fig. 3). The opposite lateral margins of the plate I46 overlap-the plates I30 and I32 and are conveniently secured in position by a row of screws (threaded into lugs I50) which secure the plate I30 to one of the plates I06 and by a row of screws (threaded into lugs I52) which secure the plate I32 to another ofthe plates I06. Each of these screws secures also a metal clip I54, each row of clips holding yieldingly in position a resilient metal cover strip I56. The plate I48 similarly covers the two adjoining front reinforcing plates I00 of the frame members 16 and 18, having its lateral margins secured to the reinforcing plates by rows of screws I58.' Each row of screws I58 is concealed by a cover strip I60.

The left-hand end of the casing is closed by the end closure 24, which is a wall of sheet metal similar in outline to the upright frame members and adjacent to the frame member 16. The end closure 24 has a flanged margin I84 (Fig. 6) whereby it is secured to the reinforcing plates I00 and I06 of the frame member 16. An outer plate I66 (Fig. 3) covers the rear reinforcing plate I06, the lateral margins of the plate I66 overlapping'the flange I64 and the plate I30 respectively, and being secured through the flange I64 and the plate I30 to the rear reinforcing plate I06 by rows of screws concealed by cover strips. An outer plate I68 (Fig. 6)similar to the plate I48 covers the front reinforcing plate I00, the left-hand lateral margin of the plate I88 overlapping the flange I64. A row of screws I10 concealed by acover strip I12 secures the flange I64 and the lateral margin of the plate I00. The right-hand lateral margin of the plate I68 overlaps a jamb strip of sheet metal I14 the purpose ofwhich will presently be explained. A row of screws I16 concealed by a cover'strip I18 secure the jamb strip I14 and the lateral margin of the plate I68 to the reinforcing plate I00.

;The front cover plate I48, already described,

'does not lie against the reinforcing plate I00 of the frame member I8, but overlaps a pair of oppositely extending jamb strips I and I82- v(Figs. 2, 3 and 5) The front and rear reinforcing plates of the frame member 82 are similarly covered by plates I84 and I86 respectively, a pair of oppositely disposed jamb strips being provided at the lateral margins of the front reinforcing plate The right-hand end of the casing is closed by the end closure 22, which is similar to the end closure 24 and is secured in a similar man-- her, in connection with-front and rear cover plates I90 and I92 respectiyely,to the frame mem- The large openings between the four 1) which are completely removable. These-panels carry upon their inner faces clips I95 which hook over'the upright flanges of the angle irons H2, H4 and H6, respectively, and also latches I91 in the form of rubber rolls which yieldably engage the lower edges of the longitudinal members I24, I26 and I28, respectively. The several jarnb strips above mentio'nedserve as. abutments for the lateral edgesfofthe panels. These. panels,

I34. The upper portion of the back wall 30 togetherywith the upright front plates, constitute the front wall I8.

It has already been mentioned that a deck 26 of convenient bench'height is provided beneath the tools. This deck is, of course, interrupted to accommodate the several intermediate up-,' right frame members. The front edges of the several units'of the deck are secured to ,theup per. or rear edges of the curved longitudinal plates I24, I26 and I28; ,The back wall 30 (Fig; 7), which in the illustrated construction iscontinuous with the deck 26, extends upwardly in back of the various tools and then forwardly in contact with the under surfaces of the upper portions of the rear .wall plates I30, I32 and carries housings 200for the lamps 28. End. walls 202 of sheet metal extending upwardly from the deck 26 and forwardly from the back wall 30 separate the spaces reserved for the various tools from the spaces occupied by the upright frame members. The upper portions of the end, walls 202 are secured for support to the flanges I02 or I04 of the upright frame members, These end walls 202 are notched to accommodate the shafts 32 and 34. The end wall 202 adjacent to the left-handframe member ,I6 serves as a closure member for the space occupied by the ink pots 68, the upper portion of the belt 38, and the pulley on the shaft 32. The end walls 202 adjacent to theupright frame member 82 serve as closure members for the space occupied by the belts 60 and 56 and various pulleys associated therewith. The end walls 202 adjacent to the right-hand frame member '84 serve as a closure 28.5 member for the belt 62, the cutter grinder, and various other features connectedwith the edge trimmers. Oneof the end walls 202, as shown in Fig. 2, carries the lighting switch 83.

For'completing the closure of the above-memtioned spaces between the adjacent pairs of end walls 202 and. between the end closures 22 and 24 and the end'walls,202 respectively adjacent thereto, there are provided doors 204 (Fig. 1) dependingly hinged to the forward or upper edges the door is closed. The two intermediate doors 204 are each provided with a pair of similar flanges 206 which likewise overlap the adjacent end Walls 202 when the doors are closed. The

flanges 206 'are notched to accommodate the mo shafting. i

It will be noted that the two casing units which are connected by the tie bolts I38, I40, I42

and I44 are each self-contained. Each unit has its own shaft, its own motor, and its own set of 1:;(55

tools, and operates independently of the other unit. Inasmuch as the groups of tools in the respective units are for different types of work,

it is sometimes convenient to supply the units separately. When an individual unit is to be ($0 installed, theend adjacent to the partition I8 or 80, as the case may be, is closed by the appropriate member 24 or 22. The units may be provided with tools other than those disclosed herein, and may be connected end to end like been described presents many advantages.

nism is provided by the=removable a sectional bookcase in any arrangement suit able to the sequence of operations tobe performed. The apparatus can be manufactured,

handled and shipped in-individual units more;

.upright' frame member 80 of the right-hand unit will be exposed. After the two units have been connected together these exposed frame members will be covered by the members I46, I48 andthe door 204whichtogether constitute a continuation of the exterior wallsof the two units.

It is evident that the constructionwhich. has The t00ls= I2,., I4 and I6, while conveniently -ac-' cessible to the operator, are nevertheless so housed by the hood structure comprising the rear plates I30, I32 and I34, the back walls 30,

the deck 26 and the end walls 202 as to prevent any dust; .dirt or chips Whl0h might not. be

caught by the draft hoods 44 from getting into the room.. The various bearings, the pulleys,

belting, motors; etc., are completely housed,

thereby preventing any oil from the bearings from being spattered about and alsoprotecting persons from contact with the moving parts. The dust-separator -48 likewise is completely .housed within the body of the apparatus, re-

ducing the fire hazard. The upright frame members I6, I8, 80, 82 and 64 are also completely housed. .Such housing of the tools and acces sories and of a considerable part of theframe not only makes for compactness but contributes to the pleasing appearance of the apparatus. The rear plates I30, I32 and I34 serve not only as housing members but are important parts of the frame structure, contributing materially to the strength and rigidity of the apparatus. This form of construction is easy and-cheap from a manufacturing standpoint and requires a mini mum of material to obtain the desired strength, combining the advantages of economy of 'production and lightness of weight. Ready access to the motors, dust collector and interior mechapanels I94, I96 and I98, and by the doors204.v

7 Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:;

1. A machine for operating on shoes comprising a cabinet-like casing having a re-entrant space formed in the upper portion thereof to provide an open-front hood, a shaft extending =lengthwise of the casing, rotary tools mounted on the shaft and shrouded by the hood, a motor contained in the lower portion of the casing and of the casing, one of" the walls of the casing being provided with a panel removable to give access to the interior of the casing.

2. A machine for operatin'g o'n shoes com- 7 prising a cabinet-like casing having a re-entrant edge of the hoodin each compartment whereby space formed in the upper portion thereof to provide an open-front hood, a shaft extending lengthwise of the casing, rotary tools mounted .on the shaft and shrouded by the hood, the lower portion of the casing being divided into sections, a "motor, contained in one of said sections and arranged to drive the shaft, and a dust collectingapparatus contained in another of said sections,; one of the walls of the casing comprising-separate removable panels permitting individual access to the several sections.

3. A shoe repair apparatus comprising a cabinet-like structure of bench height, having a rear wall, end'walls and a front wall, shafting supported over said structure, aplurality of finishing tools mounted on said shafting, a motor and a dust collectorthoused within the structure, an open-front hood over said structure and extending forwardly over said tools, and connections housed within the structure for transmitting the drive of said motor to said shaft.

4. A shoe repair apparatus according to claim 3, having upright frame members which divide the cabinet-like structure into sections, said dust collector and said motor being housed in separate sections, and bearings for said shafting carried by said frame members.

5. A shoe repair apparatus having a deck extending lengthwise thereof, a shaft above and extending lengthwise of the deck and carrying a plurality of finishing tools, a motor carried beneath the deck and arranged to drive the shaft, and a housing structure of which the deck forms the upper wall enclosing the motor and such other portions of the mechanism as are located beneath the deck, the rear wall of said housing extending upwardly above the deck and then forwardly as a hood above the shaft and the tools carried thereby.

6. A shoe repair apparatus comprising a shaft carrying a plurality of finishing tools, a motor carried beneath the shaft and arranged to drive the shaft, a dust collector also carried beneath the shaft and arranged to receive and store dust and chips resulting from the operation of the tools, and a housing structure closed beneath the shaft and enclosing the motor, the dust collector and such other portions of the mechanism as are located beneath the shaft, the rear wall of said housing extending upwardly above the closed portion of the housing structure and then forwardly as a hood above the shaft and the tools carried thereby.

7. A shoe repair apparatus comprising a shaft carrying a plurality of finishing tools, a housing structure closed beneath the shaft, the rear wall of said housing structure extending upwardly above the closed portion of the housing structure and then forwardly as a hood above the shaft and the tools carried thereby, a partition dividing the hood and separating the tools into convenient groups, and a bearing for said shaft carried by said partition.

8. A shoe repair apparatus comprising a shaft carrying a plurality of finishing tools, a housing structure closed beneath the shaft, the rear wall of said housing structure extending upwardly above the closed portion of the housing structure and then forwardly as a hood above the shaft and the tools carried thereby, a partition dividing the hood into separate compartments and separating the tools into convenient groups, a bearing for said shaft carried by said partition, and a lamp carried under the front each group of tools may be illuminated.

9. A snoe repair apparatus comprising -a shaft carrying a plurality OI nnismng tools, a housing structure closed beneath the shaft, the rear wall :of said housing structure extending upwardly above the closed portion of the housing structure and then forwardly as a hood above the shaft and the tools carried thereby, a partition dividing the hood and separating the tools into convenient groups, a bearing 101' said shaft carried by said partition, said partition comprising upper end portions of vertical supporting ,i'rame members, the lower portions of which divide the closed portion of the housing structure into separate convenient sections, a motor in one of said sections for driving the shaft, dust collecting apparatus in another of said sec tions, and a transmission enclosed within the housing structure and'hood and connecting the shaft with said motor.

tions, said frame members having also rear edges the upper portions of which curve forwardly, a connecting structure between said upright members, a horizontal tool shaft having its axis substantially in the plane of the vertical portions of the forward edges of the upright frame members, and bearings 0n the upright frame members for said shaft.

11. A machine for operating on shoes comprising a plurality of upright frame members, connecting frame members between said upright members, a shaft, tools on said shaft, bearings for said shaft carried by said upright frame members, and a housing surrounding said upright frame members and said bearings, said housing being recessed to provide a re-entrant space in the form of an open-front hood for said tools between the upper portions of said upright frame members.

12. A machine for operating on shoes comprising a pair of upright end frame members, an upright intermediate frame member between said end frame members, connecting frame members between said upright frame members, a shaft, tools on said shaft between each of said upright end frame members and said upright intermediate frame member, bearings for said shaft carried by said upright frame members, and a housing surrounding said upright frame members and said bearings, said housing being recessed to provide a re-entrant space in the form of an open-front hood for said tools between each of said upright end frame members and said upright intermediate frame member.

13. A machine for operating on shoes comprising a pair of upright end frame members, a pair of upright intermediate frame members adjacent to each other between said end frame members, a connecting frame member between each end upright member and the intermediate upright member nearer to that end, a shaft between one of said upright end members and the upright intermediate member nearer to that end, a second shaft between the other upright end memrher and the intermediate member nearer to that end, tools on each of said shafts, an exterior a; ing wall around one upright end member and extending to the nearer upright intermediate member, an exteriorcasing wall around the other upright end-member and extending to the nearer upright intermediate member, each of said-casing walls being recessed to provide a re-entrant space in the form of an open-front hood for said tools, each upright end membertogether with its casing wall, intermediate upright member, connecting frame member, shaft and tools as so far recited'constituting a unit, a tie connection between said intermediate frame members for uniting the two units into -a-single structure, and a covering-for said intermediate upright frame members, said covering constituting a continuationof said casing wallsto complete the closure of said-' intermediate upright frame members.

14; A machine for operating on shoes comprising a casinghaving-an exterior enclosing wall and a plurality of upright frame members spaced "longitudinally of the casing-withinthe exterior enclosing wall, a shaft, tools on said shaft car- '20 respectively. n

of tools, a cabinet-like casing supporting said;

tools, a motor driving connections from'said motor to said-tools, means for drawing dust-laden air-from the vicinity of the tools; and means for I separating *the dust from said dust-laden air and for returning clean air to the atmosphere, said easing having an upper hood-like structure extending over the tools, and having a partition arranged to separate the tools into convenient groups,- and-having also lower compartments for said motor and said' dust-separating FREDERICK A. PRAHLQ',:JR.-

means 

